PM opens Maidenhead EMU stabling sidings

PRIME Minister Theresa May officially opened a new £4.5million EMU stabling point in her Maidenhead constituency on June 30.

The sidings are a key part of Network Rail’s electrification of the Great Western Main Line in preparation for Crossrail.

GWR ‘Electrostar’ EMU No. 387148 breaks the banner to officially open new stabling sidings at Maidenhead on June 30. The sidings will be initially used by GWR and will be part of TfL Rail’s Crossrail operation from 2019. NETWORK RAIL

In the short-term they enable Great Western Railway (GWR) to replace Class 165/166 DMUs with longer electric trains and significantly increase capacity for commuter traffic.

The sidings allow GWR to introduce a further three new eight-carriage Class 387 ‘Electrostar’ units on the route.

The stabling sidings have been delivered 18 months earlier than planned. Electrification between Maidenhead and London Paddington was also completed ahead of schedule after being funded and delivered by the Crossrail project. The new sidings will be used by Crossrail Class 345 EMUs from 2019.

Read more in the August issue of The RM – on sale now!

Enjoy more of The Railway Magazine reading every month. Click here to subscribe.